3rd District candidate Mary Geren: our children's futures are at stake in this election

I am running for Congress because we need a representative who has not been bought and paid for and has the best interests of the people at heart. As a mother and teacher, I am concerned about the future of all SC-3 children. Too much is at stake this election, and I will not sit idly by as our children’s safety, education, health care, job security, and environment are sacrificed in a game of political football. Too many elected officials have allowed special interests and corporate donors to dictate their priorities, and working Americans are no longer represented fairly in Washington.

Unlike most candidates, I have pledged to take zero corporate donations because dark money in politics has created corrupt politicians who only vote for the interests of their wealthy donors and corporate sponsors. This is a grassroots campaign by and for the people, and I am beholden to no one, regardless of party, wealth, or status, except my constituents.

Although every minute of the day we are bombarded with endless stories, news, and gossip from around the world, we must recognize what is at stake this Nov. 6th – affordable health care for our loved ones and those with pre-existing conditions, quality and affordable education for our children, a living wage, and an economy that works for everyone, not just the rich. Make no mistake: These ideas, which are fundamental American values, are under attack.

I know firsthand the importance of a quality education and affordable health care, both of which saved my life. Education helped me to claw my way out of poverty to become the first in my family to graduate from high school and college. Overcoming such obstacles proves I know how to roll up my sleeves, work hard, and solve problems. I want the same opportunities for all American children regardless of their zip codes.

Furthermore, as a child, I didn’t have access to necessary preventative health care. I didn’t sit in a dentist chair until I was 15 and not again until I was 18. By then I had thousands of dollars worth of dental damage.

Luckily, I got the care and help I needed, but not everyone is so fortunate. Just this year, I had a breast cancer scare when a small mass was detected during a routine mammogram. Again, I was lucky, but millions of women do not have preventative health care that could save them a lot of money and even their lives.

Affordable, accessible health care is the difference between life and death ... the difference between life and death. Let that sink in. In the richest nation on the planet, affordable health care is a right. Unlike my opponent, I will not vote to gut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to give billionaires and corporations more tax breaks. Instead, I will fight to ensure all Americans are no longer just one health crisis away from losing their jobs, their savings, or their lives.

I will not bow down to any political party or Washington insiders but will represent all SC-3 constituents, regardless of their bank accounts, gender identity, color, class, origin, disability, or religion. Common-sense solutions exist for most of our problems if our leaders would work together to get something positive done.

Unfortunately, many of our elected officials seem to have lost sight of what matters most, which is ensuring the accessibility of the American Dream for everyone. Instead, they focus on petty partisanship and political fights. They practice hateful, divisive rhetoric, fear-mongering, and blind party tribalism. It’s time to send them home and elect leaders who will put their constituents first.

SC-3 voters, please send a political outsider, mother, teacher, and fighter-for-all to Washington.

Now is your chance to have your voices heard. We can do better; we must do better. Our children are watching. As your next Congresswoman, I will work every day to bring honor, decency, and common sense back to our government. I will work toward healing and repairing a government that has been broken for far too long. I will work for you.

Mary Geren is the Democratic candidate for the Third Congressional District in South Carolina.